Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.
The Long Road
Chapter 18: Distant Family
How do you go about building a life from nothing?
Weeks turned into months, and months turned now into three years. For that time he'd wandered across this world, attaching himself to nothing. The only thing he learned during that time was that he was lonely. It was almost impossible to attach himself to any of the humans on this world, most of them were so petty and insignificant it was hardly worth his time. Their lives were so mundane and uninteresting it made it all the worst. Most of the attempts he'd made so far ended in disaster. The humans he did meet who were of any note, knew Kakarot.
That was always a situation best avoided.
So what did one do to build their life outside of finding new people? They acquired assets and power. Funnily enough, on this world the same principals applied to that as they did in the Planet Trade. Aggression, ambition, tempered intimidation and ruthlessness were the best way forward. The first jobs he took were... dubiously legal. It was a way to acquire quick Zeni however. Currency was power on this planet, and by a massive margin. Funnily enough, he was the strongest being on this planet, but in terms of financial power he was far from it.
So far he'd made enough money to be comfortable. There were certainly ways he could just do one job and then never have to do anymore for the rest of his life if he wanted to live comfortably, but the problem with that of course was the fact it'd draw too much attention to himself, or it'd involve killing a lot of people. Killing people didn't hold much of a flare for Gohan anymore. Every time he'd come close to doing it since Turles's death, it brought on painful memories more than a desire to kill. So that meant his best source of income was related to pettier crimes.
It was hardly glamourous, but it paid much better than getting some career on this blasted planet. It wasn't like he was going to become some world renown professor, now was he? When the Namekian showed up to train with him, it was brought up several times with a negative context applied to it. At the end of the day though, he wasn't threatening the planet, and he wasn't killing people, so for Gohan that meant his moral obligations had been met. Not that it was any great sacrifice on his part, but it would bring him into conflict with the very people he sought to avoid.
Slowly, Gohan managed to pull himself up from the rather comfortable couch he'd acquired a few weeks before. It was impossible sometimes to get over how comfortable humans made everything. In the Planet Trade, things were always very Spartan. Designs for furnishings and other items were created for practicality, and comfort was almost always the last thought on any design. Here he was on a world with soft beds, soft furnishings, and even soft floors. Who the Hell came up with carpet? Even the floors seemed to have to be comfortable.
For a moment he felt almost lost in his thoughts before he started to make his way towards the balcony of the very modest apartment he'd found for himself. It was out of the way, and away from everything that could bother him. Very quickly his neighbours had learned that he wasn't the one to be bothered. The city he lived in, North City, was surrounded by mountain and forest. Every day he spent in this crater of a city, he could at least say he received a relatively reasonable view. The city was about as far away from everything as he could possibly be. Kakarot was on a mountain next to Satan City, and Vegeta was off in West City.
Moving into the kitchen, Gohan grabbed a bottle of water from his fridge, popping the cap off of it before drinking from the bottle greedily. Somehow this planet even had him buying water at this point, which was yet more distressing. There was water over 70% of this planet, and he was buying it. Whoever came up with that scheme was a genius.
So what else was there to this new life he'd found himself in? All he seemed to do was work, eat, sleep and sometimes train. His business associates were humans, and reminded him why he disliked the people of this planet. His neighbours largely feared him, and were weaklings. The only person who ever came around who he even enjoyed the company remotely of, not that he'd admit it, was Piccolo. Even then there were bumps in the road in that as well...
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One Year Prior:
Two bodies rocketed through the skies, clearing over forest and mountain at a rapid rate. Today was yet another day of training with the Namekian. It wasn't like before, where they would train every day, they trained weekly. Most of the rest of the time Gohan knew that Piccolo would have been training with Kakarot and Goten. It was hardly any great loss, given that Gohan was of course the superior over all three fighters still.
It was a nice escape however from what he'd been doing over the last few weeks, which was ensuring that people paid their bills to one Frank Reich, a mob boss. Dealing with these human organized crime elements was pitiful. The worst part of it was the fact he could do a half-assed job and still get away with it, because their standards were so abysmally low. Loan sharking idiots with no good sense on who to loan money out to. Lord Cooler was dramatically more efficient.
It was strange, that even until this day, he thought of his former master as Lord Cooler.
All the same, the silent journey seemed a bit off. Piccolo was clearly thinking of something else. It wasn't often that his feelings betrayed his outward appearance. So in other words, something was off about this particular training session.
"Something is bothering you," Gohan observed.
Piccolo's eyes shifted critically over to him, narrowing.
"Yea, I'm worried that some of your smartass attitude is rubbing off on me," Piccolo responded in a blunt tone.
'Whatever.'
Whatever dead thing had crawled up the Namekians ass was his own problem then. Glaring ahead, Gohan felt something up ahead. It was a familiar energy source, but it was being suppressed. Narrowing his eyes ahead, he noted Piccolo motion to land. Something was wrong about this whole thing.
As soon as Gohan landed next to Piccolo, the trap had been apparently set for some time.
"Kakarot."
The figure standing in front of him looked nervous. Kakarot uncomfortable put his hand to the back of his head, trying to smile and rubbing it.
"Oh, hey Gohan, funny to meet you here! Me and Piccolo were just going to train today, and we figured that maybe you'd like to join-"
The sentence wasn't allowed to continue as Gohan closed the space between the two of them, dropping Kakarot within a heartbeat with a violently right hook. Hitting the ground with a thud and a grunt, his biological father sat up immediately, looking dazed.
"No fair Gohan, we're supposed to set up-"
"I'm not training with you. You idiot!"
There was silence in the woods after that as Gohan sneered down at Kakarot. How could this man be so dense? He called his bluff, and for what? He told him before he'd kill him if he came looking for him again, and now he was here? Why? What possible reason could he have for getting himself killed like this? If he didn't act now, it would look as if he couldn't keep his own word.
In the years since their last meeting, things had started to change for Gohan. Slowly a life was pulling itself together, even if it was a life that paled in comparison to his old one. But it was his life, and not the vision others had constructed for him. Part of him had almost forgotten how it'd really begun. Severing the connection which had kept him alive all those years in the Planet Trade, the one who taught him to be a Saiyan. Looking at Kakarot now, all he felt was a reluctant disappointment and anger. These emotions weren't just directed at Kakarot, but at himself.
Looking up at him with that same damn smile, Kakarot turned his head upward to meet his gaze. There was a tinge of sadness in the smile, unlike before however. That was what this was all about? Was he so desperate to see him that he'd risk his life? For what? They didn't even get along.
"Why are you here, Kakarot?" Gohan managed to ask after several seconds. There was tension slowly seeping into the air between the two as the younger Saiyan tried to decide on his actions.
"To train with Piccolo like I said... and to see my son."
There was a pang of guilt as Goku's smile disappeared, and he just looked back at him seriously. When he said son it was all Gohan had not to wince. Just as he was still trapped in the past, unable to completely let go, so was Kakarot.
"I said I'd kill you if I saw you again Kakarot," Gohan said with a cold tone. "What makes you think I won't carry through with my promise?"
The notorious smile returned, just for Kakarot to respond.
"Because I believe in you Gohan. I know you've been trying hard for years to move on from what happened. How could I give up on you? You're my son. I'll always be here Gohan, always. All I want is a chance to know you. I know you've still got amazing things ahead for you and I don't want to miss any of it."
The heartfelt explanation made Gohan's resolve waver, even his pride wasn't enough to keep him in check. Immediately his aggressive posture receded, but he shook his head.
"You put too much faith in me, Kakarot."
Turning to Piccolo, Gohan could have glared ice covered daggers.
"And as for you, what the Hell were you thinking? You know god damn well-"
Bluntly staring back, Piccolo proceeded to cut in.
"Goku is my friend Gohan, and he asked me to arrange this. If you decide to throw away the chance to know your father, it's your decision now. But you'll regret it if you do. Maybe Goku can even save you from a part of yourself. He's your father Gohan, and whether you want to admit it or not, he only wants to know you."
Everyone always wanted to pull him in another direction, even Turles. It was as if he wasn't ever allowed to make decisions for himself without others prodding into his life. He had decided to not see Kakarot and Chi-Chi, it was the first decision he'd really ever made on his own. Now Piccolo had intervened on behalf of Kakarot. Part of him even wanted to help Kakarot up. Hell, part of him wanted to see Chi-Chi and Goten. The truth was they'd disapprove of what he was now doing, and they would still remind him of what happened. Even now just being around Kakarot was discomforting.
"You two can't 'save' me. If you want to save anyone, save yourselves," Gohan fired back sharply. "Kakarot, I will make myself clear for a second time. Do not come looking for me. Do not come to find me. You only live right now because the Namek is here, and that is all."
The words tried to salvage his pride. Gohan knew even if Piccolo weren't here, he would spare Kakarot. Part of him, a small sliver, wanted to believe that Kakarot's faith in him hadn't been misplaced.
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Taking a swig from his water battle, Gohan stood pressed against the railing of the small balcony of his apartment, just looking out across the rest of the city. Some of the taller buildings obscured the view, but that didn't matter. Right now all he wanted to do was relax, especially after yesterday. Trying to get a couple million zeni out of some asshole who refused to pay meant breaking a few bones and pulling a few teeth. It was nothing new, and that was just the problem.
Scum described the people he worked with, but what was the alternative? His skill sets were very limited. If he just knocked over a bank, that would draw too much attention to himself. Of course, he could always go back to a nomadic lifestyle. There was something at least consistently peaceful about it. During his time on the Earth, he could say that the few humans he'd met who were at least respectable, were the ones he met when he was just walking the Earth as a nobody. He was still a nobody, but now he was grounded in a set location. There was something to be missed from his old life, he mattered. The Planet Trade probably fell into chaos without him until Cooler found an adequate replacement.
Salza was probably having a nervous breakdown with an increase in his work load. The thought made Gohan smirk to himself. It was a life he couldn't go back to, and it was a lifetime of pain, but there was always a silver lining. All of those employed by the PTO understood what their role was, and off duty life was a very different place for most of them.
A knock came to his door, interrupting his thoughts. Outside the door Gohan could hear what sounded like a child and a woman.
Great, the neighbours I'm sure.
Walking over to the door, Gohan opened it. What was revealed was a little girl, perhaps as old as Goten was, so about 10. Then of course there was her mother, a woman who appeared in her mid thirties. The two of them seemed to share two sets of black hair, and two sets of blue eyes. Something was almost unnerving about that.
"Yea?"
"Go ahead Lin," the mother encouraged.
"H-hello sir or madam, our school is doing a drive right now to raise funds for a trip to West City so that we can visit the Capsule Corporation compound."
The little girl stared up at him with eager eyes.
A moment later the door shut.
An angry huff came from the mother, not that he cared.
"How rude, come on Lin, you did fine."
Walking back towards the balcony, Gohan felt his tail unfurl from around his waist, swishing back and forth for a moment. He couldn't believe shutting that door bothered him. Turning around, he walked back over, opening the door again.
"Hey, wait," Gohan called down the hall, causing the two black haired heads to turn towards him. "Come back, I have a few questions."
Cautiously, the mother and daughter returned to the door.
"Why are they going to Capsule Corp?"
"The school thought it'd be a great way to introduce the kids to more opportunities to learn about science and technology. They've been trying to really increase the opportunities the kids have lately, but funding is limited," the mother explained. "Capsule Corp is more then happy to have visitors, but getting all the kids there and getting them a place to stay for two days is going to cost the school too much-"
"How much are you looking to get?" Gohan asked.
"Well, 300,000 zeni is what-"
Gohan rolled his eyes. These people were looking for 300,000 zeni? He lived in a crappy apartment. Admittedly he had a lot more money then that. It was more pathetic then it was sad. Sighing, he shook his head.
"One minute."
Stepping back into his apartment, Gohan walked into his room, before moving a panel which concealed a wall safe.
Three Hundred Thousand Zeni, are these people idiots? Who the Hell has this? What the Hell kind of idiot am I for even considering it?
When Gohan returned a moment later, holding thirty 10,000 Zeni bills, he handed them almost immediately towards the little girl. It was about as good as it was going to get for them as far as he was concerned. Something about the situation motivated him to actually try and help them. It was just money after all, he could always make more.
"I don't think you'll find many people who can give you guys this kind of money. You should probably consider talking to the school, 300,000 Zeni is a lot to ask from strangers."
With that, Gohan shut the door, and of course did not realize that two completely shocked figures stood there.
"You know Gohan, I think they were looking to raise 300,000 Zeni in total," Piccolo remarked, floating outside his apartment, his arms crossed.
That would probably have made more sense, Gohan realized. Sighing, he just stared back at the Namekian and felt incredibly stupid. That was almost a Kakarot moment even. By the Kais, if this planet was turning him into Kakarot he'd kill himself.
"Easy come, easy go I guess," Gohan responded, referring to the money. "Why are you here?"
Enough feeling stupid, it was time to get down to business. As of right now, he'd not trained in a month. Training on his own always felt off, and the Namek hadn't been around. Of course, the fact that he had no one but the Namekian to train with was the real problem. Train with Vegeta? Yea, that'd be a laugh. Train with Kakarot and Goten? Not a chance. He had felt several other powers demonstrate themselves from time to time, but it was never a significant source of energy. Perhaps before he became a Super Saiyan he may have been impressed.
The former "Guardian" of the Earth came around more often before the... event last year.
"I came by to see if you'd let yourself slack off for almost a month and not train at all," Piccolo responded bluntly. "You have no internal motivators for training, do you?"
The question was pointed, but justified.
"I'm already the strongest being alive," Gohan reasoned. "What will more training do for me?"
"You're still thinking like you are in the Planet Trade, like fighters are static. Vegeta and Goku have been making significant gains while you've been sitting here in an apartment and doing jobs for criminals to make money, so you can laze around and feel sorry for yourself."
Now of course, that was sadly mainly true. No one would have dared speak to him like that, except Piccolo and perhaps Vegeta. But given he'd not seen Vegeta in four years now, well, that shortened the list of people who talked to him like that. Piccolo wasn't here to coddle anyone, least of all him. All the same, Gohan felt his pride take a blow. He often had trouble meeting the eyes of people who spoke the truth to him, especially when it was inconvenient.
"So what else did you want?" Gohan asked, his voice now filled with the frustrated irritation he now felt.
"I wanted to see if you were mad enough now to actually do something about it and train for once," Piccolo responded with a confident smile. "Come on, we can't train in the city."
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It would only be a month before the little boy could say that he reached the double digits. It was exciting in a lot of ways, because he was going to be ten. For some reason everything was supposed to change when it happened, everyone was supposed to look at him differently and he'd even have to carry himself differently. It was being alive for ten whole years. There wasn't going to be much for gifts, he knew that the house was having a bit of trouble with money, but they never needed gifts anyway. All that kind of stuff was just things.
Instead, he'd get the best gift of all. His mom was going to make his favourite meal, and he'd have no homework to do all day. Then of course his dad had promised to spend the entire day with him, not even just training. They were going to go into the woods and go camping with his dad's friends Krillin and 18. Piccolo had promised to make an appearance as well. For one day it'd just be his day. It was a selfish thought, and he knew it, but it was exciting. Every year his birthday was the best day of that year, because everyone else would forget about the brother he was born in the shadow of.
It was never outright said. Goten knew his parents loved him dearly, and sincerely, and would do almost anything to protect him. But he was born in the shadow of his older brother Gohan. Everything about his own upbringing was directly influenced by the fact that Gohan hadn't been there. Some of his earliest memories involved his parents arguing over his studies and training, arguments which ended in either side invoking the mysteriously lost Gohan. They had always told him that Gohan had been a special boy, just like him, and that they loved both of them very much, but Gohan wasn't there anymore.
But there were times he would see them stare off into space with a longing look. Every time they did he knew that he hadn't filled the void that Gohan had left, but it was something at the age of 5 one just didn't understand, but could feel.
When he was six, Gohan came back.
The boy his parents had missed, the older brother he was always aspiring to fill the void of returned. The night he came back, all Goten saw was a bloody scarred wreck that his father was holding. To him it was a point of interest and little else. As a hyperactive child he was more interested in why his dad had brought the bloody pulp to them. It was the result of a fight, he was so excited that his dad had beat someone up. Then came the next day, and his parents were just sleeping in a room watching over the battered man. It was then that Goten began to suspect something was off.
When his parents told him his older brother was finally home, it was an insane joy that overtook him. Anxiety had fled him over having to constantly be there instead of Gohan, somehow it felt like he had another player on the team. That distant look his parents sometimes had would disappear, and better yet, he'd have a big brother.
But the reality wasn't what he'd always wanted. Instead of an older brother, he received a bitter, violent man who called him 'brat' instead of brother. Someone who openly tried to kill his father's friend, and his friend, Piccolo. Worse, someone who hurt his mother and father constantly. He was mean. It wasn't mean like Vegeta either. The only person Goten ever saw him behave civilly towards, even briefly, was his mother, and once with himself. But then he did something even worse, he left them.
At first Goten was relieved that this brutish, uncaring person was gone. It was a painfully selfish feeling at the time, because he knew how much it hurt his mother and father. But after that the house was never the same. The one who took it the worst was his mom. It hurt to watch her for almost a month not talking to anyone. She made dinner, she did the laundry, and that'd be it. It was unbearable for him, and for his father. Before Gohan came back Chi-Chi was always so in control, not because she was a tyrant, but because she wanted what was best for everyone. Sometimes this lead to fights between his mother and father, but they always sorted things out. After Gohan left, they didn't fight anymore, but everything had become so quiet.
The truth was, the truth as Goten saw it, was his parents blamed themselves for what happened. Somehow Gohan leaving them was their fault in their eyes. Gohan left for other reasons. Over the years he'd pieced together what happened. The Saiyan who attacked the Earth and blew up South City, the one Gohan stopped and killed, had been important to him. After that instead of facing his problems, like their father would have, he did the same thing he'd done the entire time he'd lived with them. He lashed out, and then he ran.
So now here he was, standing in a field waiting for Piccolo to get back. Goku and Chi-Chi were busy with some things in town today, and his schoolwork was all done, which at least meant he'd get to train with Piccolo. Right now he was guessing their other guest was going to be Tien. Tien was always an exciting training partner because he'd multiform, or blind people with his Solar Flare.
When he picked up Piccolo's energy moving however, it was moving with a strange, but familiar power. It wasn't Tien's. The ten year old began to race through his mind over who it could be.
Racing at a million miles a minute, Goten's brain finally was able to grasp who was approaching. Two black eyes widened in shock. Was that... Gohan?
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So I'm an idiot am I?
Gohan stopped in mid flight with Piccolo, his eyes narrowed on the Namekian. Anger was the best thing that could be used to describe how he felt, and for obvious reasons. Piccolo was getting himself involved again, even after he'd warned him. This meddling was going to stop, right now.
"What did I say last year Piccolo?" Gohan snapped.
The Namekian stopped his own flight, turning his attention back towards Gohan. There was an irritated look on his face to match his own angry one.
"You said not to drag Goku out here, and I haven't. Chi-Chi and Goku needed someone to look after Goten today, they are having issues with their house taxes with the local municipality. As a result, I've taken Goten for training. I came by to drag your sorry excuse for a carcass out because I thought you could learn a thing or two and get back into some semblance of shape. If you don't like the fact the kid is there? Either don't come, or send him home. To be blunt Gohan, it's not my problem. I'm not afraid of ten year old children."
A bitter taste appeared in Gohan's mouth, or at least his lips shaped themselves as though he'd just tasted something bitter. The fact the Namekian was right was the part that hurt the most. Goten was just some brat kid, what did he have to worry about from him? There was honesty in Piccolo's words as well, it seemed unlikely that Goten would have come out with the Namek alone.
There was something else he'd mentioned. House taxes? Those were mandatory payments to local government. Why exactly was that an issue at all? Clearly those should just be paid for. But then again, where did Kakarot make money? He was training all the time, or at home. Which meant that their chief source of income was? Somehow they must have been relying on savings for years. For a moment Gohan felt almost a sense of urgency. They were underwater, as the humans would put it. Which of course meant that they were going to the local municipality to negotiate some kind of payment scheme for their taxes to save their home.
"Kakarot and Chi-Chi are having problems?" he asked. "Financial problems?"
It was a comment that needed clarity.
"It's not my business," Piccolo responded.
That answer was bullshit. The Namek always knew what was going on, watching from his lookout with an ever present gaze. He knew if a rat shit in a basement.
"I want a real answer, now."
Looking disgruntled for a second, Piccolo looked off to the side.
"Goku won the World Martial Arts Tournament years ago, in fact about a year before you were born. He and Chi-Chi had been living off the proceeds of that victory. Now that money has begun to deplete, they are beginning to struggle. Goku will have to look into alternatives for what they can do for income. That's all I know."
"How long before they are in trouble?" Gohan asked.
"Why are you so interested?" Piccolo responded.
With a growl of frustration, Gohan was forced to face the question internally, before he faced it externally. The truth was he was worried about the people he never intended to see again. How was this his problem at all? His heart could be heard beating in his chest as he tried to process what he was feeling. It wasn't his problem, but that didn't mean that he could just forget about it. They'd given him a roof over his head, clothed him, and been patient with him. Despite his... chaotic history with Kakarot, Gohan knew that the older Saiyan didn't deserve to be humiliated. Even now he knew if he walked through their front door, they would offer him food they couldn't afford, and a room without any monetary requests.
But he still couldn't exactly go down there and help them. His pride couldn't have him renege on what he'd committed to, especially for a second time with no excuse. Even if it was his parents. He knew even if he lied to Piccolo it wouldn't matter. The Namek would know, so why bother lying? Pushing past the resistance of admitting to anything, Gohan finally spoke.
"I don't think Kakarot and Chi-Chi deserve to be in financial trouble," Gohan answered honestly. "Not that it matters what I think."
"You could help them," Piccolo reminded, inclining his head for them to keep flying.
"I couldn't," Gohan finally admitted. "I can't go back there."
"You know Gohan, no one is going to care that you broke your promise to kill Goku and not see any of your family again," Piccolo pointed out. "And if you're worried about looking stupid, don't worry. The longer you put it off, the stupider you look."
Growling, Gohan took off with the Namek.
"You know I'm going to make you pay for that while we're training," Gohan remarked.
"We'll see."
In the distance, Gohan could already make out the figure of what he knew was his younger brother. Apparently sporting a new haircut. At least he wasn't a mirror image of Kakarot anymore.
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The world slowed down for Goten when he was confronted with the reality of what he sensed only minutes earlier. Landing from the sky the two stood next to one another, but Gohan just stared directly at him.
Their father should be here, not him. Why did Piccolo have to bring him? Of all the people in the world for him to train with today, why him? The look he was even giving him right now was a perfect image of how he remembered his older brother. He looked cold, uncaring, and severe. It was nothing new at all. Quietly, Goten resolved not to break his eyes away from Gohan. The reasoning was of course that he didn't want to look weak. If Gohan thought he was weak, he'd be even worse to him then before. All the vicious comments and uncaring demands he placed on their father for being 'weak' was always gut wrenching. What right did he have to call their father weak?
He was strong enough to forgive Gohan, after all.
When Gohan started to walk towards him, Goten felt himself tense. It was the exact natural reaction that he wanted to avoid, but it happened all on its own. The blood was in the water now, and it was obvious, because Gohan smirked. It was that same sinister veneer that held all of Gohan's worst traits in it.
"You're big brother comes by to see you, and all you do is wince? That's a real shame, brat," Gohan chuckled, before reaching out to grab his shoulder.
With a quick motion, Goten knocked his hand away before it could touch his shoulder. The smile disappeared for a brief moment and Goten felt himself being backed further into a corner. It was impossible not to feel his body coil back and tense, as if waiting for Gohan to make another move. It was in this moment that Goten realized that not only did he not like Gohan, he was afraid of him. Anyone who was strong enough to ward his dad away, was someone to be feared. But worse, of course, he knew just what Gohan was like.
Piccolo, please, please come and tell him to leave.
When Piccolo didn't come to the rescue, Goten grit his teeth together and glared up at Gohan.
"My name is Goten, not brat," he fired back angrily.
"That's enough you two. Whatever problem you've got, save it. Today we're training, not bickering," Piccolo cut in.
Much to Goten's surprise, the older Saiyan just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. It wasn't what he expected at all. The Gohan he knew would have told Piccolo off, but instead he was reluctantly listening and staying around. This meant that Gohan had a reason to listen to Piccolo beyond just strength, but what was that?
It didn't matter as soon as Piccolo walked between the two of them.
"Goten, Gohan is the most powerful student I've had fight under me. If he's still half as talented as he was the last time we really trained, his form will be nearly perfect, and his moves will be almost impossible to stop. In other words, you can learn a lot from him," Piccolo bluntly informed him. "His fighting style is a combination of traditional aggressive Saiyan stances, my own, and Goku's. This blend makes it very hard to approach him."
A confident smirk appeared across Gohan's face.
"Well, I could just teach the brat myself you know. He'd start to figure it out quick enough once I delivered a beating or two," Gohan chuckled.
"His biggest weakness is the fact he's overconfident and lazy. The best chance to defeat Gohan will always come from this."
The chuckle immediately stopped and he looked over at Piccolo with a very unimpressed look. For the first time since Gohan showed up, Goten felt comfortable. A small smile appeared across his own face.
"Look at me that way all you want Gohan, it's true and you know it. Goten, we're not focusing on increasing power today, we're focusing on technique. So neither you, or Gohan, are to transform into Super Saiyans. Am I understood?"
Goten nodded, while Gohan just rolled his eyes and turned towards the younger fighter.
"Alright then kid, show me what you've got."
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It'd taken hours, but Gohan was now fairly sure that his little brother was finally running out of juice. Another strike shifted past his head while he dodged to the side. All day this had been like blowing up civilians in a city. Their little skirmish so far hadn't yielded a single blow from landing from Goten. Side shifting to block a kick from the little boy, Gohan went in to finally shut the kid down again. Hopefully this time he'd call it quits for the day so perhaps Gohan could actually train with Piccolo instead of this ridiculous sham.
There was one relieving thing about Goten at least, as compared to Kakarot and Chi-Chi. The kid just resented him. It wasn't something he expected to be honest. At least the kid had more braincells going for him then Kakarot.
Slamming his knee into Goten's stomach, before kicking him away and into a tree, the boy's back collided with the tall standing spire of wood and bark. When he hit the ground in a heap, the elder brother finally sighed with relief. Turning his head towards the Namekian warrior, Gohan just felt a sigh of relief. Maybe now he could finally get something more productive done.
"Piccolo, can we train now? I'm getting tired of the kid," Gohan almost whined. "I know you're supposed to look after him and all, but-"
Suddenly there was a force which hit him in the chest. Two arms had grabbed him and shoved him back at high speeds. Looking down, Gohan only saw the furious little boy. His back collided with a tree several metres away, and suddenly pain exploded through him. He'd not been expecting the blow and not prepared his body for it. Shooting agony ran up his back as an old injury was aggravated. Meanwhile another blow was incoming, striking him across the face, sending his head to the side.
"My name," Goten breathed. "Is not kid, and it's not brat. My name is Goten."
With those words now out, he came in for another attack. Mustering his own reserves, Gohan reached out, grabbing Goten before the blow could land.
"I've got worse I could call you, you little shit," Gohan snapped, before driving his knee into Goten one final time, this time not holding back at all.
The boy's hands went to his stomach, and he finally and he collapsed to the ground trembling.
Gohan moved to pull back from the safety of the tree, taking a shaky step forward, his legs trembling. Fuck, his back was messed up from that. Looking down at his right arm, it was trembling. Another shooting pain ran through his nerves as his body betrayed him once again. Normally, if he was at least ready for an attack he could shift his ki, his energy, in such a way to keep it from receiving an injury like this.
"I think that's enough for today," Piccolo cut in.
"No," Gohan immediately cut in, taking a step forward. "This kid wants to fight? Fine, we'll fight. I'll teach him to know when you stay down."
"Only you know he won't learn that. He's Goku's son, the same as you are. If determined you know he's not going to stay down. And if beating up a child while training makes you feel bigger Gohan, then you've certainly fallen a long way since the last real fight you had."
Every shot across the bow today that he could find. Gohan was starting to get very annoyed with the Namekian now as well. The part about him seemingly always being right bothered him more then anything.
Turning his head towards the struggling child, Gohan almost sneered.
"You don't want to be called brat, kid?" Gohan questioned. "You've got no right to complain. Until I proved myself, I was always brat, or kid, or scum. We're Saiyans, you aren't given or receive respect without reason. You want me to call you by your name? You'll have to earn that. Just like I had to earn it."
Shakily reaching down, he grabbed Goten by the arm, hoisting him up. The kid looked pained, and pale. There was a part of him that did feel guilty for bashing the kid that badly. Of course, the fact he'd just thrown his own body out of action so badly infuriated Gohan. Every moment was agony, and there was no way to manage the pain except willpower.
Still, the stupid fucking kid had a job to do.
"What are you doing?" Piccolo asked, looking concerned.
"This kid's got a job to do before you send him back to Kakarot and Chi-Chi."
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The world was a haze for Goten, his stomach hurt so badly all he could do was clutch it. Whatever hit him had hit him so hard all he could think about was his stomach. The tight grip on his arm was dragging him through the air. There had been words but he couldn't focus on them. The only thing Goten could focus on was the pain. He coughed several times in the middle of this mystery flight, until he finally had enough strength to focus on his surroundings.
They were in the air again obviously, but Piccolo was flying to his side. Only Piccolo wasn't the one with an iron grip on his arm. Looking up, Goten saw of course, Gohan holding his arm. Immediately the boy thought to rip his arm away. The look down and the realization that he may not be able to stop a fall from his height right now stopped any thoughts of this.
Even now though Goten just wanted to go home. With tired, hurt eyes, he looked over to Piccolo, who just stared ahead as they flew.
There was suddenly a sharp decline in altitude before an abrupt stop in the air.
"We're here," Gohan said in a straight forward tone, before dropping him on the hard floor of a balcony.
Looking up, Goten saw an apartment that was sparsely furnished. Was this where Gohan lived? There was something unfeeling about this place. At home, his mom did everything to turn their house into a real home. It had pictures of family, personal touches, a warm atmosphere, and was really lived in. This place just seemed empty and cold. It was void of all the familiar things a home should have, all the personal touches. There were no pictures on the walls, nothing was placed with care or consideration, and it just looked and felt bare.
It was empty and void. It was fitting, it was just like Gohan in a lot of ways.
Slowly pulling himself to his feet, Goten hobbled forward.
"Why are we here?" he asked, looking up at Piccolo.
"Gohan needs you for something, what I don't know. Whatever it is can't be as much of a disaster as the training was," Piccolo admitted.
A minute later, Gohan walked back out of his room holding a briefcase. But that wasn't what Goten noticed. Every step he took was stiff. It was all the control he had just to walk upright and Goten could see it. An impassive face hid real pain. Had Goten not been trained by his father and Piccolo, he would have never picked up on it. Gohan was the supposed to be the strongest fighter on the Earth, even if he was a jerk. That brought a question to the young boy. If Gohan was so strong, why was he in so much pain after training?
The source of that pain was clearly coming from his back. When he drove Gohan into the tree, had he caused that?
"You're hurt," Goten finally said, just as Gohan walked in front of him.
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Minutes Earlier:
Dropping the brat on the balcony, Gohan found his feet on the ground once again. Just doing so immediately put pressure on his back. Discomfort and seizing pain almost overtook him, but controlling his breathing and using his energy, he managed the pain. It was important to walk, and walk with purpose towards where he was going. If he couldn't hold up this posture, they'd know something was wrong. It was a matter of pride to not be hurt. Especially because getting hurt by some little kid was far too embarrassing to admit.
With a still stance, Gohan managed to find himself in his room, looking at the safe with the contents of the money he'd acquired over the last six months. It wasn't something he really needed. At any time Gohan could just get more money, it wasn't that hard to obtain. Hell, he'd steal it if he had to. Right now however, the honour bound Kakarot was going to end up losing a substantial amount of his life if he didn't get financial aid. The home he spent the first years of his life in may be jeopardized.
How was it his problem?
Despite the pain in his back, he tensed as he began to open the safe. The misery of Kakarot and Chi-Chi wasn't something he really wanted. Even if they were miserable because he'd left years ago, it didn't sit well with him. Again, he reinforced that money didn't matter. This gesture wasn't anything significant. It couldn't be, because he didn't care about money anymore.
When the safe cracked open, and he saw the stacks of bills within, Gohan knew that he'd been lying to himself. Looking at the money with a quiet stare, he turned to his bed, pulling a very large briefcase out from under it. There was no ability to hide why he was really doing this. Chi-Chi was his mother and deserved his help. Kakarot?
What was Kakarot? That silly, goofy man who seemed to be unable to give up on him. The most resolved person he'd ever met, and someone who seemed willing to try to help him at any turn. Kakarot was a man he'd betrayed, openly, and claimed to still love him as the son he never was to him. Perhaps it was shame in being so far unable to reciprocate the other Saiyan's advances, or it was a sense of responsibility. It didn't matter.
They needed help, and for the first time since he'd left home, he felt he needed to give them help. It was a rough count, but it was approaching 30,000,000 Zeni that filled the case. With a forceful shut, the case came down and locked in place. Closing the now remotely populated safe, Gohan turned back towards the door. His back ached and throbbed from it's prior injury. Old surgeries and battle damage were the ones really responsible for his pain. This body was beginning to ware, and he knew that he could only maintain it for so long. Back in the Planet Trade, he'd have already undergone regeneration therapy, but that wasn't an option down here on this backwards planet.
Walking out of the room rigidly, Gohan stopped in front of Goten who was staring up at him intently.
"You're hurt."
Fucking observant kid. Gohan almost snarled down at his newly found messenger, but refrained from doing so. Instead he just let cold eyes stare at Goten until the little boy looked away.
"Give this to Kakarot and Chi-Chi," Gohan ordered, thrusting the case towards the near 10 year old.
Goten blinked, looking at the briefcase intently.
Please don't ask any questions, just take the bloody thing.
"What's in it?"
God I hate this kid.
Breathing in carefully, Gohan controlled his temper as much as he could.
"Money, for Kakarot and Chi-Chi to help with some of their bills."
The words left him with great difficulty. It was difficult to admit he was helping them at all, let alone to Goten. The little boy appeared completely confused, unable to grasp what was being said for a moment. The kid made no moves to grab the case, but instead looked up at him.
"Why? Why are you helping us? How do you know this?"
For a moment, Gohan felt his heart stop. Time almost froze for him as his brain ceased processing real thoughts. There was no answer he could give. It wasn't that there was no answer, he already knew the answer. He didn't want to see them suffer, but he didn't want to see them. It was so frustrating it almost made him want to punch a hole through his wall.
"Take the money," Gohan urged, thrusting the case forward again.
Finally, Goten took the case, but kept his stare on him.
"Why did you ever come back?" Goten finally asked, looking at him with an almost pained expression.
Why the Hell was this kid doing this now? He was giving the little guy the money for him and his parents to live on. Why did he come back? He didn't want to come back. It didn't matter, it was just some ten year old.
"I didn't," Gohan responded shortly. "Now-"
"Mom and dad are always so quiet since you left. They are always sad that you aren't around. You came back just enough to make them sad. Now you're giving them this, but you won't come home. I don't get why they want to see you, I don't get why they want to see you. You're mean, and selfish, and cruel. I wish you never came back."
Kids were the worst for telling you what they thought. Because they were usually pretty blunt and honest. The words didn't cause a sharp pain, but a dull ache. For a brief second, he was almost willing to go home. Instead, a sad smile pushed at the edge of his lips. Already doing what he was doing was too much. It was already more by many fold what was asked of him.
It was enough.
"Go home, Goten," Gohan told his little brother.
The little boy's eyes widened at the use of his name. Gohan knew this was the first time he'd called him by that, rather then brat or kid. For being so honest and blunt however, the kid probably deserved it.
Nodding his head to the Namekian, Gohan then turned towards the couch.
Behind him, he heard the two of them take off, and he could breathe a sigh of relief. Flopping on the couch, he finally let out the long groan of pain his back was causing him. Trembling for a moment, he finally didn't mind how soft the humans seemed to make everything.
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A/N: Happy Halloween everyone. You're getting this a few days early because my weekend may end up being complete chaos. So just an FYI.
I hope everyone is enjoying it so far.
Next chapter doesn't deal with Gohan, and the chapter after that doesn't deal with him much. So what does that mean? That means Goku, Chi-Chi, Vegeta, Bulma, Videl, and others are getting some spotlight.
I hope everyone looks forward to Chapter 19: The Good Times.
Reviewers:
Reven228: I hope you enjoyed the stuff Gohan went through this chapter as well. In Chapter 20 we get to see Pan for the first time too.
Jrik23: Without spoiling anything, let me assure you, there will be no cop outs. Gohan's transformation into a better person can really only come from within.
Kaosmoshipit: Well, then you've got a lot of enjoyment on the way given there are lots of chapters filling in the gaps now. :)
Ness Frost: Hurrah for Despair! Three cheers for Despair! XD
Darkvoid116: Gohan's too old for High School now. He's like... 21 or 22 by now. Lol
Guest1: I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Eveline: I feel bad that I've made you cry several times :(... but then I'm happy your enjoying the story so much! :)
Mangahero18: Chapter 20 is her reintroduction.
Vegito73: Vegeta's speech made me grin while I was writing it. Definitely one of the high points of the story.
Me410: Thanks! You incredible reviewer you! XD
XXXpossessedforlifeXXX: Sorry dude. But The Catalyst is a hugely important story to me as well. I'm trying to be fair to both stories and I like to stay on schedule :(
Deflow: Being asleep and being comfortable, is not the same as condoning sexual intercourse with someone. Trust me, there are consequences for this event. And I have no plans for Billis. :(
Fooler: Lemon scenes? I don't think I've mentioned lemons at all. What relevence does fruit have to this story?
Kiara: Thank you very much Kiara! As you can see, things aren't so easy for Gohan, boycotting home or not. At the end of the day, Gohan doesn't want his family to suffer, even Goku.
Xdevil-childx: I can't wait to write and post what happens next! :D
RedHunter87: Intimidating someone into having sex with you, is rape. Just because Gohan didn't brutally sexually assault Videl, doesn't stop what he did from being rape. And Gohan's path is very, very different from Vegeta's. I promise. :)
Maesde: Gohan's got more then mental problems sadly :(
Low on Inspiration: I really wanted to just show instances in Gohan's life, almost like the flashback scenes I've written, really explaining where he is and what is influencing him :)
Guest2: How will adding a lemon tree to this story help anyone?
Guest3: Vegeta wasn't as dishonourable as Gohan to be fair. And their paths are very different. Who wants to just reread Gohan going through what Vegeta did?
I want Gohan to go through something wholly his own story. :)
Daughter of Vegeta: I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Don't worry, it keeps getting better.
Guest4: Oh noz! Not a ki blast! XD